MARK Anthony Haines’ mother, father and grandmother went to their graves never knowing how he died.

But now, 30 years to the day that the 17-year-old was found dead on railway tracks in Tamworth, his remaining family hopes a $500,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of someone responsible will deliver answers.

The body of Mr Haines was found on railway lines near the Warral silos on the outskirts of Tamworth on January 16, 1988.

A coronial inquest returned an open finding into the death in 1988 and no charges have ever been laid in relation to the case. His family has since led a relentless charge to bring about justice, suspecting foul play.

On Tuesday morning, Mr Haines’ family and friends, wearing badges bearing the “vibrant and happy” face of Mr Haines, converged on Tamworth Police Station to welcome news of a $500,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction on the case.

The family has never lost sight of justice, one day being served upon the person or persons responsible for Mark’s tragic death.

Craig Craigie

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr Haines’ uncle Craig Craigie, said the announcement provided them with a renewed sense of hope.

“The family has never lost sight of justice, one day being served upon the person or persons responsible for Mark’s tragic death,” Mr Craigie said.

“It has been a long and arduous journey for the family to lose a loved one and we are hopeful that this reward will encourage anyone who had been living in guilt for the past 30 years to finally coming forward.

“It has been the family’s belief that there were other people involved with Mark at the time of hid death and evidence supports the coroner’s findings indicating Mark had sustained a severe head injury prior to his death.”

Another of Mr Haines’ uncles, Don Craigie, who’s been at the centre of public pleas for information, welcomed “the repatriation of Mark’s organs for reburial for cremation back in his ancestral lands where his body lays”.

“No family should have to go through the anguish of not knowing what has happened to their loved one,” Mr Craigie said.